SCOTS music star Jai McDowall may have achieved fame and fortune but his heart still lies at home.

The 27-year- old shot to stardom after winning Britain's Got Talent two years ago, beating nine other contestants to the top spot.

He returns to perform on August 1 in Glasgow's Classic Grand.

Plagued with nerves throughout the popular talent contest, Jai, who lives in Ayr, said even now he still struggles to control his shaky legs before getting on stage.

"I definitely do still get nervous; I get really terrible about 10 minutes before the performance starts and I just need to walk around the room, pacing the floor for no reason whatsoever other than the fact I'm a bag of nerves." said Jai.

"It's not as bad as it used to be though.

"Before I'd be nervous the whole day, worrying about my voice holding up, but I play with bands now and I get the chance to practice and rehearse a lot so I know the songs inside out.

Despite the glamour of showbusiness, Jai admits he is still a home bird, and enjoys spending time with friends and family when he's not in the studio.

"I've always been one of those kids who said 'When I'm 16 I'm moving out and travelling the world.' but I've never done it," he said.

"I've got a good opportunity now that I'm making a living and I love Scotland too much, it's really relaxing here.

"There's so much hustle and bustle down in London, I would like to go there for a little while but I don't think I'd stay forever."

Despite performing for royalty and all over the country, his favourite show so far was when he played at Ayr Town Hall in May, on the last night of a Scottish tour.

"It was really fun; all my family and friends were all there and it was in my home town," he said.

His charming and humble attitude has served him well throughout his career so far, having previously been a support worker for disabled young people before auditioning for Britain's Got Talent.

His prize package was £100,000 and a chance to sing at the Royal Variety Performance before the Princess Royal, where Jai performed a cover of With or Without you by rock legends U2, and shared the bill with Pixie Lott, Nicole Sherzinger and Barry Manilow.

Life since the win has been "incredible" said Jai, describing the contest as a bit of a "whirlwind" when he looks back on it.

Having already released his first album in December last year and completed two UK tours, the Ayrshire lad hasn't had much time to rest as he has been busy recording album number 2 which is due to hit the shelves later this year.

"It's more of a pop-rock style, a bit like Kelly Clarkston." said Jai.

"It's all original songs too.

"Some of them have been written for me and some of them I've been co-writing and writing by myself.

Song writing is something that's come recently to the singer, and has proved harder than he thought.

"It has been really good to get into that side of things and learn more about it." Said Jai.

"It was quite a challenge to begin with; sometimes the songs come out really soppy or corny. So I've been working on that; it has been a real learning curve.

"Life in general influences my writing, but I try not to make it all about me, so others can relate to them as well."

US singer Josh Groban and Jai's father have both been a huge influence on his distinctively powerful vocal style, which is a mixture of west-end musical, pop and rock.

Jai said: "My dad is a musician, he sings and plays guitar, and I was just brought up with it so it was an easy choice when I found out I could do it too.

"I got to play with Josh Groban in Glasgow before which was absolutely amazing.

"When I was learning to sing I took a lot of inspiration from him so he's definitely one of my idols."

Jai is often asked by budding youngsters for advice about the music industry, and enjoys telling people his story.

He admitted that it's a tricky business to work in and said: "I'd always say to people to learn their craft, and learn what they're doing.

"I'm currently having piano lessons and I'm learning guitar but these things take years to master, and if you really learn the craft you feel more equipped and prepared.

"It's a case of learning a whole new job as such so I've been trying to adapt to life in a different setting in a different way.

"I've been very lucky in a way though as it's so nice to have the ability to do something I love doing but have all the friends and family around me that I've always had."

l Jai plays the Classic Grand, Jamaica Street on Thursday August 1. Tickets £16.50.